Reciprocal

Reciprocal
Reciprocal Re*cip"ro*cal (r[-e]*s[i^]p"r[-o]*kal), a. [L. reciprocus; of unknown origin.] 1. Recurring in vicissitude; alternate. [1913 Webster]

2. Done by each to the other; interchanging or interchanged; given and received; due from each to each; mutual; as, reciprocal love; reciprocal duties. [1913 Webster]

Let our reciprocal vows be remembered. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

3. Mutually interchangeable. [1913 Webster]

These two rules will render a definition reciprocal with the thing defined. --I. Watts. [1913 Webster]

4. (Gram.) Reflexive; -- applied to pronouns and verbs, but sometimes limited to such pronouns as express mutual action. [1913 Webster]

5. (Math.) Used to denote different kinds of mutual relation; often with reference to the substitution of reciprocals for given quantities. See the Phrases below. [1913 Webster]

{Reciprocal equation} (Math.), one which remains unchanged in form when the reciprocal of the unknown quantity is substituted for that quantity.

{Reciprocal figures} (Geom.), two figures of the same kind (as triangles, parallelograms, prisms, etc.), so related that two sides of the one form the extremes of a proportion of which the means are the two corresponding sides of the other; in general, two figures so related that the first corresponds in some special way to the second, and the second corresponds in the same way to the first.

{Reciprocal proportion} (Math.), a proportion such that, of four terms taken in order, the first has to the second the same ratio which the fourth has to the third, or the first has to the second the same ratio which the reciprocal of the third has to the reciprocal of the fourth. Thus, 2:5: :20:8 form a reciprocal proportion, because 2:5: :1/20:1/8.

{Reciprocal quantities} (Math.), any two quantities which produce unity when multiplied together.

{Reciprocal ratio} (Math.), the ratio between the reciprocals of two quantities; as, the reciprocal ratio of 4 to 9 is that of 1/4 to [frac19].

{Reciprocal terms} (Logic), those terms which have the same signification, and, consequently, are convertible, and may be used for each other. [1913 Webster]

Syn: Mutual; alternate.

Usage: {Reciprocal}, {Mutual}. The distinctive idea of mutual is, that the parties unite by interchange in the same act; as, a mutual covenant; mutual affection, etc. The distinctive idea of reciprocal is, that one party acts by way of return or response to something previously done by the other party; as, a reciprocal kindness; reciprocal reproaches, etc. Love is reciprocal when the previous affection of one party has drawn forth the attachment of the other. To make it mutual in the strictest sense, the two parties should have fallen in love at the same time; but as the result is the same, the two words are here used interchangeably. The ebbing and flowing of the tide is a case where the action is reciprocal, but not mutual. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • reciprocal — 1 Reciprocal, mutual, common mean shared, experienced, or shown by each of the persons or things concerned. Reciprocal has for its distinctive implication the return in due measure by each of two sides of whatever is offered, given, or manifested …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • Reciprocal — may refer to:*Multiplicative inverse, in mathematics, the number 1/ x , which multiplied by x gives the product 1, also known as a reciprocal *Reciprocal (grammar), a relationship between grammatical agents *Reciprocal altruism, a form of… …   Wikipedia

  • reciprocal — re·cip·ro·cal /ri si prə kəl/ adj 1 a: mutual (2) b: bilateral a reciprocal contract 2: characterized by correspondence or equivalence es …   Law dictionary

  • reciprocal — [ri sip′rə kəl] adj. [< L reciprocus, returning, reciprocal < * reco prokos, backwards and forwards < * recos (< re , back + * cos < ?) + IE * proko , ahead (> Gr proka, forthwith) < base * pro , forward, ahead + AL] 1. done …   English World dictionary

  • Reciprocal — Re*cip ro*cal, n. 1. That which is reciprocal to another thing. [1913 Webster] Corruption is a reciprocal to generation. Bacon. [1913 Webster] 2. (Arith. & Alg.) The quotient arising from dividing unity by any quantity; thus 1/4 is the reciprocal …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • reciprocal — re‧cip‧ro‧cal [rɪˈsɪprəkl] adjective a reciprocal arrangement or relationship is one in which two people, countries etc do or give the same things to each other, usually so that each is helped in some way * * * reciprocal UK US /rɪˈsɪprəkəl/… …   Financial and business terms

  • reciprocal — The reciprocal pronouns are each other and one another. See each 3 …   Modern English usage

  • reciprocal — (adj.) 1560s, from L. reciprocus returning the same way, alternating, from pre L. *reco proco , from *recus (from re back + cus, adjective formation) + *procus (from pro forward + cus, adjective formation) …   Etymology dictionary

  • reciprocal — [adj] exchanged, alternate changeable, companion, complementary, convertible, coordinate, correlative, corresponding, dependent, double, duplicate, equivalent, exchangeable, fellow, give and take*, interchangeable, interdependent, matching,… …   New thesaurus

  • reciprocal — ► ADJECTIVE 1) given, felt, or done in return. 2) (of an agreement or arrangement) bearing on or binding two parties equally. 3) Grammar (of a pronoun or verb) expressing mutual action or relationship (e.g. each other, they kissed). ► NOUN… …   English terms dictionary

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